Method and device for transferring at least two overlapped sheets to a sheet-handling machine

ABSTRACT

A method and a device for transferring at least two sheets, which are arranged in a shingled mode of arrangement in a sheet transport direction, to a sheet handling machine in which the at least two sheets are moved at a first speed after the transfer, a first and a second sheet being spaced by a certain length of displacement in the sheet transport direction. The two sheets are first supplied to the sheet handling machine at a second speed which is higher than the first speed. As soon as the first sheet is decelerated to the first speed in the sheet handling machine, the second sheet is decelerated to a third speed which is lower than the second speed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

2. Description of Related Art

The present invention relates to a method and a device for transferringat least two sheets, which are arranged in a shingled mode ofarrangement in a sheet or paper transport direction, to a sheet or paperhandling machine in which the at least two sheets are moved at a firstspeed after the transfer.

In the prior art, paper handling systems are known in which e.g. 2-upprinted sheets are supplied to a cutter, separated from one another bythis cutter and then placed ready for further processing by a subsequentdevice. For this purpose, the 2-up printed sheets are placed one on topof the other by means of suitable machines, such as mergers, and, inthis condition, they are applied to subsequent paper handling machinesfor further processing.

For further processing the individual sheets provided in this way, thesubsequent machines take over, per machine clock cycle, one such waitingsheet; depending on the subsequent machines, individual groups must e.g.be formed from the sheets provided, these groups being then e.g. put inenvelopes.

The clock cycle with which the cutter operates and with which theindividual sheets are made available to the subsequent machines isfaster than the clock cycle of a subsequent enveloping unit. By way ofexample, it is assumed that the cutter can carry out 1,000 cuttingoperations within a predetermined period of time, whereas the envelopingunit can carry out 100 enveloping operations within this period of time.This has the effect that, in a first case, in which the enveloping unitprocesses only single sheets, the cutter will be stopped at certainintervals, since it would provide too many sheets, whereas in a secondcase, in which the enveloping unit envelops fifteen sheets at a time,the enveloping unit will have to be stopped at certain intervals, sincethe cutter is not able to provide a sufficient number of sheets. Theprior art already discloses solutions which, for avoiding thedisadvantages resulting from the above, interpose a buffer between thecutter and the subsequent machines so as to permit a continuousoperation of the cutter. In this case, the individual sheets dischargedby the cutter are introduced in the buffer, and, when a predeterminednumber of sheets has been reached, switching over to e.g. a secondbuffer plane is effected so that the sheets contained in the firstbuffer plane can be advanced for further processing, whereas sheetsdischarged by the cutter are simultaneously introduced in the secondbuffer. Such a device is described e.g. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,083,769.

Devices of this type are, however, disadvantageous insofar as thetransfer of the sheets which are discharged by the cutters and whichhave been merged by the merger takes too much time, since the individualsheets must be transferred to the buffer one after the other. When thesheets are provided in pairs, two sheets at a time can be transferred inparallel. In the case of large groups two sheets at a time aretransferred in parallel, the respective pairs of sheets beingtransferred in succession. Furthermore, the performance will be impairedin the case of comparatively large buffers or uneven numbers of sheetsor group sizes or in the case of even numbers of sheets and a dischargewhich does not take place in pairs, since, for forming a group, suchsystems need two or more clock cycles depending on the number of sheets.

Starting from this prior art, it is the object of the present inventionto provide a method and a device which support a simple and a fasterformation of groups with a minimum number of necessary machine clockcycles in paper handling systems.

This object is achieved by a method according to claim 1 and a deviceaccording to claim 7.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the pre-sent invention to provide a method and adevice which support a simple and a faster formation of groups with aminimum number of necessary machine clock cycles in paper handlingsystems.

The present invention is a method of transferring at least two sheets,which are arranged in a shingled mode of arrangement in a sheettransport direction, to a sheet handling machine in which the at leasttwo sheets are moved at a first speed after the transfer, a first and asecond sheet of the at least two sheets being spaced by a certain lengthof displacement in the sheet transport direction,

-   -   wherein the at least two sheets are supplied to the sheet        handling machine at a second speed, the second speed being        higher than the first speed; and    -   wherein the second sheet is decelerated to a third speed as soon        as the first sheet is decelerated to the first speed in the        sheet handling machine, the third speed being lower than the        second speed.

The present invention is a device for transferring at least two sheets,which are arranged in a shingled mode of arrangement in a sheettransport direction, to a sheet handling machine which comprises atransport unit which moves the at least two sheets at a first speedafter the transfer, a first and a second sheet of the at least twosheets being spaced by a certain length of displacement in the sheettransport direction, the device having

-   -   a feed roll which feeds the at least two sheets to the sheet        handling machine at a second speed, the second speed being        higher than the first speed; and    -   a brake roll which decelerates the second sheet to a third speed        as soon as the first sheet is decelerated by the trans-port        unit, the third speed being lower than the second speed.

The present invention is based on the finding that the above-describeddisadvantages in the prior art can be overcome by arranging, inaccordance with the present invention, the sheets to be processed in apre-shingled mode of arrangement by superimposing the 2-up printedsheets with a small displacement in the longitudinal direction, i.e. thesheets are pre-shingled, so that they can easily be separated from oneanother later on. Comparatively large groups can thus be formed in asimple way by forming a comparatively large shingled stream withadditional sheets which have already been pre-shingled. The machinesknown in the prior art do not permit this course of action, but theyonly permit a formation of the shingled stream from individual sheets orwith non-displaced 2-ups (two sheets arranged adjacent each other withthe printed text facing upwards/downwards). In comparison with thisprior art, the present invention is advantageous insofar as, by means ofthe transfer method according to the present invention and the transferdevice according to the present invention, at least two sheets, whichare already arranged in a shingled mode of arrangement, can betransferred to a paper handling machine in one clock cycle, withoutthese pre-shingled sheets sliding over one another, as would have beenthe case in the prior art. According to the present invention, thisproblem is solved in that the leading sheet is decelerated at theleading edge and the trailing sheet at the trailing edge.

According to one embodiment, the first speed is equal to the thirdspeed.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the group thusformed and the resultant shingled stream are then advanced by a distancewhich is equal to the number of sheets in the group multiplied by theshingle length, the movement taking place towards a subsequent transportdevice which then takes over the group.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a furthertransport unit is additionally provided to which the sheets continuouslycollected and deposited in a shingled mode in the first transport unitare transferred when a predetermined number of sheets has been reachedin the first transport unit, the second transport unit being moved in aclocked mode depending on the number of sheets to be distributed so thatthe shingled stream deposited therein is moved towards a distributingunit, the respective leading sheet in the paper transport directionbeing discharged from the paper handling machine at the distributingunit. By means of this implementation, a predetermined number of sheetscan easily be distributed in the form of a group by slightly increasingthe duration of the clock cycle.

The present invention is advantageous insofar as it permits a continuousfeed of the merged sheets and, consequently, a high increase inperformance. A method permitting the provision of at least two sheets ina shingled mode of arrangement is described in DE 199 35 186 A.

In accordance with a further advantage, the present invention permits apaper handling machine to be operated with medium-sized groups, thenumber of sheets per group lying between the above-mentioned limits atwhich a preceding machine (e.g. a cutter) or a subsequent machine (e.g.an enveloping unit) has to be stopped.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following, preferred embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed in detail making reference to the drawings enclosed, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a paper handling system inwhich the present invention is implemented;

FIGS. 2A-2E show a schematic representation of the method according tothe present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a side view of a first section of a paper handling machinewhich implements a first embodiment of the device according to thepresent invention;

FIGS. 4A-4C show a schematic representation of the mode of operation ofa second embodiment of the paper handling machine;

FIG. 5 shows a side view of the second section of the paper handlingmachine;

FIGS. 6A, 6B show a side view of the paper handling machine comprisingthe sections shown in FIGS. 3 and 5; and

FIGS. 7A-7D show examples of the transport units in the paper handlingmachine according to FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The description following hereinbelow refers to a paper handling systemin which the device according to the present invention and the methodaccording to the present invention are implemented. With regard to theindividual figures, reference is made to the fact that identicalelements or elements producing the same effect are provided withidentical reference numerals in these figures.

FIG. 1 shows in a schematic representation an example of a paperhandling system comprising substantially four separate sections A-D.

In section A of the paper handling system, 2-up printed sheets 100 aresupplied to a cutter and the paper web is cut longitudinally andtransversely so as to obtain the individual sheets 100 a and 100 b whichare merged in section B by means of a merger such that the sheets 100 aand 100 b are arranged in a shingled mode of arrangement, i.e. they aredisplaced by a predetermined length (shingle length) X in a sheet orpaper transport direction P. From the merger section B, the two shingledsheets 100 a and 100 b are transferred to section C where the sheetssupplied are stored intermediately before they are advanced in sectionD, e.g. to a collecting station.

Section C is divided into sections C1 and C2, section C1 representing asection which is part of the sheet and paper handling machine and whichwill be described in detail hereinbelow on the basis of FIG. 3. Alsosection C2 represents a section which is part of the paper handlingmachine and which will be described hereinbelow in more detail on thebasis of FIG. 5. Section C represents in its entirety the paper handlingmachine which will be described later on making reference to FIG. 6.

In section C1 the shingled sheets 100 a and 100 b are suppliedcontinuously until a predetermined number has been reached, whereuponthe shingled stream thus formed is transferred in a single clock cycleto section C2 from which individual sheets or groups of sheets are thentransferred to the collecting station in a clocked mode, as will bedescribed in detail hereinbelow.

FIG. 1 shows exemplarily in sections A and B how individual sheets orgroups of sheets are arranged in the 2-ups Sheets belonging to the samegroup are designated by the same minus-cules. Group a comprises only onesheet, group b comprises two sheets and group c comprises three sheets.

As will be described later on with reference to the following figures,the present invention permits a very simple transfer of these shingledsheets to section C and the distribution of the sheets in groups to thesubsequent processing machines D.

Making reference to the figures following hereinbelow, an exemplarypaper handling machine will be described in which the present inventionis implemented. In the description following hereinbelow, the individualcomponents of the machine shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 are described first,the mode of operation of the machine being schematically explained inadvance on the basis of FIGS. 2 and 4.

As has already been stated hereinbefore, the present invention startsfrom sheets which have already been arranged in a shingled mode ofarrangement; to make things easier, it will first be assumed in thedescription of the method and of the device following hereinbelow thatonly two shingled sheets have to be transferred.

In FIG. 2, the method according to the present invention and the deviceaccording to the present invention are described in general; for thesake of simplicity, it is first assumed that only two shingled sheetshave to be transferred.

FIG. 2A shows, schematically, a situation in which a first sheet 200 anda second sheet 202 are supplied in a paper or sheet transport directionto a paper handling machine, which is not shown in detail. As can beseen, the first sheet 200 and the second sheet 202 are arranged suchthat they are displaced relative to one another in the paper transportdirection P by the length of displacement X which has already beendescribed, i.e. they have a shingle length X which is 20 mm in the caseof a preferred embodiment, but which can be in the range of from 10 mmto 50 mm.

The length of displacement X and the shingle length X, respectively, aredefined by the distance between the edge 200 a of the first sheet 200,which is the leading edge in the paper transport direction P, and theedge 202 a of the second sheet, which is the leading edge in the papertransport direction P.

In addition, FIG. 2A shows schematically a first shingle roll 204, whichis fixedly arranged with respect to the sheets 200 and 202. The shingleroll 204 is a constituent part of a first transport unit which will bedescribed in more detail in the following figures. Furthermore, a brakeroll 206 is schematically shown, which is movable between a firstposition and a second position with respect to the sheets 200 and 202;in FIG. 2A, the brake roll 206 occupies its first position at which itis not in engagement with the sheets 200 and 202.

The sheets 200 and 202 are supplied at a second speed by means of a feeddevice which is not shown in FIG. 2; according to a preferredembodiment, this second speed is approx. 3 m/s, but it may also be inthe range of from 2 m/s to 6 m/s.

In FIG. 2B, the situation is shown in which the first sheet 200 or, tobe precise, the edge 200 a of this first sheet has reached the shingleroll 204. As has already been mentioned, the shingle roll 204 is a partof the transport unit which will be described hereinbelow and whichmoves the sheets that have been taken up thereby or transferred theretoat a speed of preferably approx. 0.25 m/s; this speed may, however,range of from 0.2 m/s to 2 m/s. The first speed or transport speed v₁depends on the height of the printed sheet VH, i.e. on the format lengthin the paper transport direction P, the shingle length X and the secondspeed or supply speed v₂ (v₁=f (VH,X,v₂)).

When the sheets 200, 202 reach the shingle roll 204, their supply speedis decelerated, and, for preventing the two sheets 200 and 202 fromsliding over one another, the brake roll 206 is switched over from itsfirst position shown in FIG. 2A to the position shown in FIG. 2B atwhich the brake roll 206 engages the edge 202 b of the second sheet 202which is the trailing edge in the paper transport direction, anddecelerates this edge so that the shingled arrangement of the two sheets200 and 202 is maintained. The brake roll causes the second sheet 202 tobe decelerated to a speed of approx. 2 m/s, but this speed may also bein the range of from 0.2 m/s to 2 m/s. The brake roll 206 is switchedover as soon as the first sheet 200 has reached the shingle roll 204.According to a preferred embodiment, the first speed (transport speed)corresponds to the third speed (deceleration speed). This situation ispreferred, since an ideal behaviour during the transfer operation willbe obtained in this case. The shingle length of the transferred sheetscorresponds, in this case, to the shingle length of the sheets appliedto the de-vice.

The transport unit used for advancing the transferred sheets is drivencontinuously and, when the two sheets have reached the first shingleroll 204, they are advanced by a distance which corresponds to thenumber of sheets multiplied by the shingle length X.

In FIG. 2C, this situation is shown together with the introduction offurther sheets in the paper handling machine. The sheets 200 and 200 ahave already been moved by a first part of the distance between thefirst shingle roll 204 and a second shingle roll 208, the distancebetween the two shingle rolls 204 and 208 corresponding to the number ofsheets multiplied by the shingle length. Depending on the length ofdisplacement or shingle length X of the sheets to be introduced andtransferred, respectively, the shingle rolls are arranged such that theyare appropriately adjustable so as to be able to handle differentformats. The distance between the rolls is smaller than the smallestpossible height of the printed sheet (format length or length of a sheetmeasured in the paper transport direction). In the case of a formatlength of 3.5″ (8.89 cm) the distance will be 3″ (7.62 cm) so that thesheet will reliably be seized by the next roll when the transport isbeing continued.

Furthermore, two additional sheets 210 and 212 have been supplied andsince these sheets have not yet arrived in the area of the shingle roll204, the brake roll 206 is located at its first position where anengagement with the sheets does not take place.

In FIG. 2D, the sheets 200 and 202 have been advanced starting from thesituation shown in FIG. 2C so that sheet 200 is now applied to theshingle roll 208. The new sheet 210 reaches with the edge 210 arepresenting the leading edge in the paper transport direction the firstshingle roll 204 where it is decelerated, and the brake roll 206 isactuated simultaneously; the brake roll 206 is switched from its firstto its second position for engaging an edge 212 b of the second sheet212 representing the trailing edge in the paper transport direction soas to decelerate this sheet in the way which has already been describedhereinbefore, whereby the new sheets 210 and 212 will be prevented fromsliding over one another.

FIG. 2E shows a further example of the method according to the presentinvention in the case of which four sheets 214, 216, 218, 220 aresupplied instead of the hitherto described two sheets. FIG. 2E shows thesituation in which sheet 214 has already arrived at the shingle roll 204so that the sheets supplied are decelerated. In order to prevent therest of the sheets 216, 218 and 220 from sliding over one another, thebrake roll 206 was moved to the second position shown in FIG. 2E at themoment at which the first sheet 214 reached the shingle roll 204, sothat a decelerating effect is exerted on the sheets 216-220 so as toprevent a displacement of these sheets.

FIG. 3 shows a first section of the paper handling machine in which afirst embodiment of the device according to the present invention isimplemented.

The section of the device shown in FIG. 3 is designated generally byreference numeral 300. Section 300 comprises an inlet section 302 aswell as first transport unit 304.

The inlet section 302 comprises an inlet 306 which is defined by twoguide means 306 a and 306 b converging in the paper transport directionP and which serves to feed the at least two sheets in the papertransport direction P to the section 300. A pair of feed rolls 308 a,308 b is arranged in the vicinity of the ends of the guide means 306 aand 306 b constituting the front ends in the paper transport directionP, the feed roll 308 a being driven by a motor which is not shown inFIG. 3. The contact force between the rolls 308 a and 308 b can beadjusted via an adjustment screw 310 by means of which the position ofthe roll 308 b relative to the roll 308 a can be changed. The rolls 308a and 308 b are secured to a frame 312 of the inlet section 302. Thefeed rolls 308 a and 308 b are driven such that sheets supplied aremoved at a speed of 2 m/s to 6 m/s, preferably 3 m/s.

The feed rolls 30 ea and 308 b are followed by an optional trap 314 inthe case of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3. The trap 314 comprises adeflection element 316 as well as two deflection guide means 318 a and318 b arranged adjacent the deflection element. The deflection means 316can be switched over between the position shown in FIG. 3, in which thepointed end of the deflection means 316 which constitutes the rear endin the paper transport direction is arranged in the vicinity of the feedroll 308 a, and a second position in which the pointed end of thedeflection means 316 which constitutes the rear end in the papertransport direction is shown in the vicinity of the roll 308 b.Depending on the position of the deflection means, a first sheet path320 a and a second sheet path 320 b are defined by the deflection means316 and the respective deflection guide means 318 a and 318 b, thesheets supplied being moved along the respective sheet path in thedirection of the transport unit 304. The trap 314 permits the supplied“dual sheets” to be moved in the direction of the transport unit 304,shingled selectively in an ascending or descending mode, depending onthe respective position of the trap.

Each of the sheet paths 320 a and 320 b has associated therewith a brakeroll 323 a and 323 b. By actuating a magnetic positioning element 324 aand 324 b, the respective brake roll 322 a and 322 b is moved from itsfirst position in which engagement with the sheets supplied via thesheet paths does not take place to its second position in whichengagement with the respective trailing edge of the second sheet of thesheets supplied takes place so as to decelerate this second sheet. Thetwo brake rolls 322 a and 322 b are driven by a motor, which is notshown in FIG. 3, the deceleration speed being in the range of from 0.2m/s to 2 m/s, preferably around 2 m/s.

When the activation of the positioning element 324 a has beenterminated, the brake roll 322 a is returned to its first position bythe force of gravity, whereas the roll 322 b is returned to its positionof rest or first position by the restoring force of a spring 326, whenthe activation of the positioning element 324 b has been terminated. Inthe case of another embodiment, where the force of gravity does notsuffice to move back the brake roll 322 a within a sufficiently shortperiod of time, this brake roll has also associated therewith a spring.

The first transport unit 304, which forms a buffer for receiving thereina plurality of “dual sheets” in which these sheets are accommodated in ashingled mode of arrangement, comprises a conveying belt 328 which isdriven continuously, if possible, and which extends over two guidepulleys 330 a and 330 b, the conveying belt 328 being driven via amotor, which is not shown in FIG. 3, at a continuous speed which rangesfrom 0.2 m/s to 2 m/s and which is preferably approx. 0.25 m/s (v₁=f(VH,X,v₂)). The pulleys 330 a and 330 b are supported in a frame 332,which is schematically shown in FIG. 3. Furthermore, four shingle rolls334 a-334 d are provided, which are arranged in contact with theconveying belt 328 and which are spaced apart by a distance that dependson the number of simultaneously supplied sheets and on the displacementof the sheets. The individual shingle rolls 334 a-334 d are movably (cf.arrow 336) secured to a chain 338, which is schematically shown in FIG.3. The schematically shown chain is guided over transport pulleys 340 aand 340 b which are schematically shown as well. The chain, incombination with the shingle rolls, serves to adjust the transport unit304 to specific formats of the sheets. The transport unit described isshown only schematically and it is obvious that the number of rolls andthe distance between the rolls depends on the sheets and sheet formats(heights of the printed sheets) used and on the number of sheets to beaccommodated. In the figure, an example is shown in which the rolls arespaced apart by 3″ (7.62 cm).

The transport unit 304 additionally comprises two guide means 342 and344, which are arranged in parallel and which extend along the wholetransport unit 304, so that the dual sheets supplied can reliably betransferred from the inlet 302.

The mode of operation of section 300 is such that the dual sheets aresupplied via the inlet 306 and, as soon as the first sheet of the dualsheets has reached the first shingle roll 334 a, the dual sheets aredecelerated and, in order to prevent the sheets from sliding over oneanother, one of the brake rolls 322 a and 322 b, respectively, isactivated, at the moment at which a leading edge of the first sheetreaches the shingle roll 334 a, by actuating the respective positioningelement so as to engage a trailing edge of the second sheet of the dualsheets so that the sheets will be prevented from sliding over oneanother. Subsequently, the sheets are advanced by the transport unit304; in so doing, additional dual sheets are simultaneously supplieduntil a predetermined number of dual sheets is contained in thetransport unit 304. As soon as the predetermined number of dual sheetsis contained in the unit 304, these dual sheets are advanced, in oneclock cycle, to a subsequent transport unit, which will be describedlater on.

With regard to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, reference is made to thefact that the provision of the trap and the resultant doubleimplementation of the brake rolls 322 a and 322 b is optional. The trapcan e.g. be omitted completely or the dual brake rolls can e.g. bereplaced by a single brake roll positioned downstream of the trap.

Furthermore, it is pointed out that, instead of the driven brake roll, abrake roll may also be used which has an increased roll resistance incomparison with conventional rolls so that a suitable deceleration ofthe second sheet will be achieved, when this brake roll is pressedagainst a trailing edge of the second sheet.

Making reference to FIGS. 4A to 4C, the mode of operation of a secondsection of the paper handling machine will be explained schematically.The section of the paper handling machine shown in FIG. 4 serves todistribute in a simple way a predetermined number of sheets which arearranged in a transport unit (not shown).

FIG. 4A shows schematically a transport roll 400, which is positionedlast in the paper transport direction P, and a distributing roll 402. Byway of example, it is assumed that four sheets 410, 412, 414 and 416 areprovided in a shingled mode of arrangement. The individual sheets 410 to416 are arranged in such a way that their edges constituting the leadingedges in the paper transport direction P are displaced relative to oneanother by the distance X.

In FIG. 4B, a situation is shown in which only a single sheet, viz.sheet 410, is to be distributed from the stream of sheets shown in FIG.4A. This is done in that the transport unit causes the stream of sheetsto be advanced by a predetermined distance so that only the leading edgeof the first sheet 410 is brought into contact with the distributingroll 402. As indicated in FIG. 4B by the arrow, the sheet 410 isdischarged from the stream of sheets due to this clocked movement of thesheets and due to the continuous movement of the distributing roll 402.

In FIG. 4C, the situation is shown in which a group of sheets, viz.sheets 412 and 414, are to be removed from the stream of sheets; also inthis case, the transport unit causes the sheets or rather the stream ofsheets to move, the distance of movement being determined by the numberof sheets in the group and by the sheet displacement. This clockedmovement has the effect that sheet 412, which is now the first sheet inthe stream of sheets, is first advanced to the distributing roll 402 andremoved by this distributing roll and that, subsequently, the sheet 414is advanced to the distributing roll 402 and removed as well.

The advantage of this course of action is that, due to the shingledarrangement and due to the method of moving the stream of sheets whichhas been chosen, it is not necessary to move the sheets by a completeformat length in order to distribute e.g. two sheets, but it suffices tobridge only a distance which is essentially determined by thedisplacement of the sheets arranged.

By means of this method of distributing the individual sheets from thestream of sheets, the grouping of the individual sheets, which hasalready been shown on the basis of FIG. 1, can be achieved in a simpleway, viz. in that, for discharging the individual sheet a, the shingledstream or stream of sheets which has been formed in the meantime ismoved by a distance corresponding to the displacement X so that onlysheet a will be applied to the distributing rolls 402 in the course ofthis movement. In the same way, the shingled stream is then moved by aslightly larger distance, this movement being caused by a clock cyclewhich is slightly longer than the first clock cycle so that the twosheets of group b will be applied successively to the distributingrolls. In the same way, the sheets of group c are distributed in groups.

FIG. 5 shows the section, which has been described schematically on thebasis of FIG. 4, in an implementation according to one embodiment.Section 500 comprises a second transport unit 502 and a distributingunit 504.

The second transport unit 502 comprises a pair of guide means 506 and508 extending from an inlet of the transport unit 502 to an outlet 512thereof. The transport unit 502 additionally comprises a conveying belt514, which is adapted to be driven in a clocked mode by a motor, notshown in FIG. 5, and which is supported by two pulleys 516 a and 516 b.The pulleys 516 a and 516 b are, in turn, secured to a frame 518, asshown schematically in FIG. 5.

Furthermore, four transport rolls 520 a to 520 d are provided, whichco-operate with the conveying belt 514 and which are arranged such thatthey are displaced relative to one another by a predetermined distance.The individual transport rolls 520 a to 520 d are secured to a chain 522which is schematically shown in FIG. 5, the chain 522 being, in turn,guided over pulleys 524 a and 524 b which are shown schematically aswell. As indicated by the arrow 526, the rolls are adapted to be movedin a suitable manner so as to permit an adjustment to different formats.The transport unit described is shown only schematically and it isobvious that the number of rolls and the distance between the rollsdepends on the sheets and sheet formats (heights of the printed sheets)used and on the number of sheets to be accommodated. In the figure, anexample is shown in which the rolls are spaced apart by 3″ (7.62 cm).

The sheets accommodated in the first transport unit, which is shown inFIG. 3, are introduced in the second transport unit 502 as soon as thefirst transport unit has received therein the maximum possible number ofsheets or a predetermined number of sheets. In the transport unit 502,the individual sheets are arranged in a shingled mode of arrangement andthey are spaced by a predetermined length of displacement with respectto their respective leading edges in the paper transport direction.

The outlet 512 of the second transport unit 502 is followed by thedistributing unit 504 with its inlet 528, a stopper means 530 beingprovided immediately after the inlet 528; the stopper means 530 issecured to a section of the frame 532 of the distributing unit 504.

With the aid of the stopper means a group of sheets can be stopped orplaced ready. When the subsequent paper handling machine, e.g. thecollecting station, is ready to receive sheets, and when the sheets havebeen placed ready at the stop point or stopper means, the path into thecollecting station will be shorter, whereby the performance can beincreased still further. As a further example, it will assumed that anenveloping unit is arranged subsequent to the paper handling device.While a group of sheets or individual sheets contained in thisenveloping unit is/are being put in an envelope by means of thisenveloping unit, no further sheets are distributed to the envelopingunit. In this situation, the next group to be processed or the nextsheet to be processed can already be moved by the stopper means in thedirection of the outlet of the paper handling machine and placed readyat the stopper so that, when the enveloping unit is ready to accept thenext group or the next sheet, the path to be bridged will be shorterthan in cases in which this group or sheet is supplied from the secondtransport unit so that a faster supply will take place.

Furthermore, the stopper means provides, alternatively to or in additionto the first-mentioned, above-described functionality of the stoppermeans, the possibility of “buffering” (intermediately storing) a groupwhile the shingled stream is being transferred from the first transportunit to the second transport unit in the example shown in FIG. 6A.Hence, the slightly longer intermediate clock cycle, which may benecessary for the transfer, will not reduce the performance.

A pair of sensor rolls 534 a and 534 b, by means of which the sheetspassing between these two rolls 534 a and 534 b are counted, is arrangedafter the stopper means 530, when seen in the paper transport directionP. The counting is carried out such that, by means of the sheetspassing, a certain space is caused between the two rolls 534 a and 534b; this space causes, in turn, a displacement of the signalling lever536 relative to an inductive measuring element 538, whereby a change ofinductance will be caused on the basis of which the number of sheetspassing between the rolls 534 a and 534 b can be detected. In analternative embodiment, the sensor can also be arranged in front of theoutlet 512.

The distributing rolls 540 a and 540 b are positioned after the rolls534 a and 534 b, when seen in the paper transport direction P; thesedistributing rolls 534 a and 534 b are driven continuously via motors,which are not shown in FIG. 5, at a predetermined speed which rangesfrom 2 m/s to 5 m/s, and which is preferably approx. 4.75 m/s. The rolls534 and 540 are secured to the frame 532 of section 504. Thedistributing rolls 540 a, 540 b and the last transport roll 520 d arespaced apart by a distance which guarantees that the sheet will beengaged by the distributing rolls when the shingled stream is moved. Thedistance between the rolls is smaller than the smallest possible heightof the printed sheet (format length or length of a sheet measured in thepaper transport direction). In the case of a format length of 3.5″ (8.89cm) the distance will be 3″ (7.62 cm) so that the sheet will reliably beseized by the next roll when the transport is being continued.

When section 500 is in operation, it is first determined how many of thesheets contained in the transport unit 502 are to be distributed to asubsequent processing means during one clock cycle. Depending on thenumber of sheets to be distributed, the distance by which the shingledstream arranged in the transport unit 502 is to be moved in thedirection of the distributing unit is determined, and this movement isthen carried out, the distributing rolls 540 a and 540 b removing thesheet of the shingled stream constituting the respective leading sheetin the paper transport direction, i.e. if e.g. only a single sheet is tobe removed from the shingled stream, the shingled stream will be movedin a suitable manner by the transport unit 502 in such a way that onlythe leading sheet of these sheets is placed ready for distribution bythe distributing rolls 540 a and 540 b so that, during this cycle, onlythis single sheet will be distributed. If a plurality of sheets, e.g.three sheets, are to be distributed, the shingled stream will be movedfor a period of time which is slightly longer than the clock durationrequired for distributing a single sheet, but which is markedly shorterthan the time required for distributing two separate sheets, so that, inthis case, sheets arriving in succession at the distributing rolls willbe supplied to the subsequent processing unit. In this way, a group isplaced ready within a period of time that is much shorter than theperiod of time which is normally necessary for supplying e.g. threeindividual sheets for a group to a subsequent processing unit.

Depending on the number of sheets to be distributed, i.e. on the size ofthe group, the sheets are accelerated more strongly so as to achieve thehighest possible speed when they are being distributed.

In FIG. 6A the whole paper handling machine 600 is shown, and, as can beseen, this paper handling machine is composed of section 300 and section500, section 500 following section 300 in the paper transport directionP. Instead of the configuration of the paper handling machine shown inFIG. 6A, other configurations are, however, possible as well.

FIG. 6B shows a further embodiment of the paper handling machine 602 inwhich the transport units 304 and 502 are arranged in parallel betweenthe inlet unit 302 and the distributing unit 504. A deflection means 604is arranged between the inlet unit 302 and the two transport units 304and 502, this deflection means being effective for supplying dual sheetsfirst to one of the two transport units. As soon as the predetermined orthe maximum possible number of sheets has been accommodated in one ofthe transport units, the deflection means will be switched over to theother of the two transport units and the dual sheets will be supplied tothe further transport unit in continuous form. Simultaneously, theoperation of the first transport unit is changed over from a continuousto a clocked mode of operation, and the predetermined number of sheetsis advanced via the device 606 to the distributing unit 504 in groupsand in a clocked mode, as has been described hereinbefore.

In addition to the embodiments of the transport units described in thepreceding figures, other realizations are possible as well, especiallyalso in connection with the adjustment of the respective formats.

Making reference to FIG. 7, further embodiments of transport units andof format adjustments will be described in detail in the following.

In FIG. 7A, two transport units 304 and 502 are shown, the respectiveadjustment of the formats being achieved by a suitable increase in andreduction of the number of shingle rolls 334 and transport rolls 520.Depending on the respective format, a higher or smaller number of rollsis used.

In FIG. 7B, the transport units 304 and 502 are shown, the conveyingbelts being in this case realized by so-called vacuum belts. In FIG. 7C,a further embodiment is shown, in which the transport units 304 and 502are formed integrally. FIG. 7D shows a further embodiment for formatadjustment.

As can clearly be seen from the above description of the presentinvention, this device achieves, in comparison with the devices knownfrom the prior art, a plurality of advantages by means of pre-shingling,continuous feeding and the clocked discharge.

The 2-up printed sheets are placed one on top of the other with a smalllongitudinal length of displacement so that these sheets arepre-shingled and can easily be separated from one another later on. Whenlarger groups are formed, a larger shingled stream will be formed by theadditional, pre-shingled sheets. In the case of the machines known fromthe prior art, this is only possible with individual sheets or withnon-displaced 2-ups. Displaced, i.e. pre-shingled sheets would slideover one another in such machines. As has been described hereinbefore,this problem is solved by decelerating the leading sheet at the leadingedge thereof and the trailing sheet at the trailing edge thereof. Foradvancing the group, the shingled stream is moved to a subsequenttransport device which takes over the group, the distance by which theshingled stream is moved being equal to the number of sheets multipliedby the shingle length.

The above-described paper handling machine permits a continuous feed ofmerged sheets and, consequently, a high increase in performance, sinceeven if groups are separated within the merged sheets, these mergedsheets can be distributed together by the precursor. Hence, only oneclock cycle is necessary. This permits the use of continuously operatingprecursors, e.g. rotary cutters and the like, which means that theperformance will be increased still further.

As has been described hereinbefore, a paper handling machine, whichcomprises essentially an inlet transport device with a brake, a trap, ashingle transport device, and a distributing transport device, isdefined according to one embodiment of the present invention; thevarious devices have been described hereinbefore making reference to thefigures. The inlet transport device provided with a brake serves toprevent the incoming sheets from slipping and from being damaged, and,as has already been described as well, the shingle transport devices canbe arranged in two planes and they are adapted to be operatedindependently of one another.

When the above-described paper handling systems are in operation, apaper web is first cut longitudinally and transversely in a cutter (FIG.1). The sheets cut in this way are transferred to the merger (FIG. 1) inpairs and in juxtaposed relationship with one another, the mergersuperimposing the sheets that they are slightly displaced relative toone another in the longitudinal direction.

The sheets superimposed (merged) by the precursor are taken over by theinlet transport device 302 of the paper handling machine with a smalllongitudinal displacement of approx. 20 mm. The leading edge of theleading sheet is decelerated at the shingle roll 334 a, the trailingsheet is decelerated at the trailing edge. This prevents the sheets fromsliding over one another. Depending on the position of the trap 314,further “dual sheets” are shingled selectively in an ascending ordescending mode and transported continuously into the transport unit 304of the buffer until the path has been filled completely.

In the embodiment described on the basis of FIG. 6A, the transport unitsand the buffers, respectively, are arranged one after the other, thenewly formed shingled stream in the first transport unit 302 being fullytransferred from the first transport unit to the second transport unitin an intermediate clock cycle, when a predetermined number of sheetshas been reached and when the second transport unit has been emptied.

In the arrangement shown in FIG. 6B, the change-over means 604 isactivated when the full state of the first transport unit 302 has beenreached so that, while the sheets are now entering the second plane inthe above-described way, the first plane is emptied in a clocked mode.

Due to the fact that the individual sheets are displaced relative to oneanother in the longitudinal direction, individual sheets or whole groupsof sheets can be transferred to the distributing transport device 504 inthe correct sheet sequence by means of a short feed or a longer feed(clock cycle). This distributing transport device will then transfer thegroup e.g. to a collecting station, in which the sheets are joggedlongitudinally and transversely so as to position them precisely on topof one another. Following this, the group is transferred to a subsequentdevice, e.g. a folder or an enveloping machine.

The advantages of the present invention are that a very high sheetperformance can be achieved, since sheets can be taken up continuously,without any necessity of paying attention to group changes. Anotheradvantage is that the preceding and the subsequent machines can beoperated independently of one another, i.e. the cutter and thecollecting station do e.g. not mutually retard one another. Due to thefact that the sheets are arranged in a shingled mode of arrangement,they can easily be separated from one another and groups can easily beformed.

1. A method of transferring at least two sheets, which are arranged in ashingled mode of arrangement in a sheet transport direction, to a sheethandling machine in which the at least two sheets are moved at a firstspeed after the transfer, a first and a second sheet of the at least twosheets being spaced by a certain length of displacement in the sheettransport direction, the method comprising the following steps: (a)supplying the at least two sheets in the shingled mode of arrangement tothe sheet handling machine at a second speed, the second speed beinghigher than the first speed; and (b) decelerating the second sheet to athird speed as soon as the first sheet is decelerated to the first speedin the sheet handling machine, the third speed being lower than thesecond speed, thereby maintaining a shingled arrangement of the at leasttwo sheets, wherein the first sheet is decelerated to the first speed bya shingle roll, and the second sheet is decelerated to the third speedby a brake roll.
 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein a leadingedge of the first sheet in the sheet transport direction and a leadingedge of the second sheet in the sheet transport direction are displacedrelative to one another by the length of displacement, the first sheetbeing decelerated at the leading edge thereof and the second sheet beingdecelerated at a rear edge in the sheet transport direction.
 3. A methodaccording to claim 1, the method comprising the following steps: (c)advancing the at least two sheets in the sheet handling machine by adistance which is determined by the sheet format and the length ofdisplacement; and (d) repeating steps (a) to (c) for an additional pairof sheets arranged in a shingled mode of arrangement in the sheettransport direction.
 4. A method according to claim 3, wherein theadditional pair of sheets is deposited in the sheet handling machineshingled in an ascending or descending mode.
 5. A method according toclaim 1, wherein the first speed is 0.25 m/s, the second speed is 3 m/s,and the third speed is 2 m/s.
 6. A method according to claim 1, whereinthe third speed is equal to the first speed.
 7. A device fortransferring at least two sheets, which are arranged in a shingled modeof arrangement in a sheet transport direction, to a sheet handlingmachine which comprises a first transport unit which moves the at leasttwo sheets at a first speed after the transfer, a first and a secondsheet of the at least two sheets being spaced by a certain length ofdisplacement in the sheet transport direction, the device comprising: afeed roll which feeds the at least two sheets in the shingled mode ofarrangement to the sheet handling machine at a second speed, the secondspeed being higher than the first speed; a brake roll which deceleratesthe second sheet to a third speed as soon as the first sheet isdecelerated by the transport unit, the third speed being lower than thesecond speed, thereby maintaining a shingled arrangement of the at leasttwo sheets and; wherein the transport unit comprises a first shingleroll which engages the first sheet, and wherein, as soon as the shingleroll has engaged the first sheet, the brake roll engages the secondsheet.
 8. A device according to claim 7, wherein the transport unitcomprises a first shingle roll which engages the edge of the first sheetconstituting the leading edge in the sheet transport direction, andwherein, as soon as the shingle roll has engaged the first sheet, thebrake roll engages the edge of the second sheet constituting thetrailing edge in the sheet transport direction.
 9. A device according toclaim 7, wherein the transport unit comprises a substantiallycontinuously driven conveying belt and a plurality of shingle rollswhich are pretensioned towards the conveying belt and which are spacedapart in the sheet transport direction by a distance determined by thesheet format and the sheet displacement.
 10. A device according to claim7 comprising a trap, which is arranged between the feed roll and thefirst shingle roll, the trap causing descending shingles of sheets in afirst position and ascending shingles of sheets in a second position.11. A device according to claim 10, wherein the brake roll is associatedwith a first sheet path along which the at least two sheets travel whenthe trap is at the first position, an additional brake roll beingprovided, which is associated with a second sheet path along which theat least two sheets travel when the trap is at the second position. 12.A device according to claim 7, wherein the sheet handling machinecomprises: a second transport unit, which is arranged after the firsttransport unit in the sheet transport direction, the first transportunit collecting the sheets continuously and transferring them to thesecond transport unit, when a predetermined number of sheets is arrangedin the first transport unit, the sheets in the second transport unitbeing arranged in a shingled mode of arrangement in a sheet transportdirection in such a way that the leading edges of the sheets in thesheet transport direction are spaced apart by a certain length ofdisplacement, the second transport unit moving the sheets in a clockedmode in such a way that the sheets are displaced by a predetermineddistance in the sheet transport direction, the distance depending on thenumber of sheets to be distributed and on the sheet displacement; and adistributing unit which, when the sheets move in the transport unit,discharges from the sheet handling machine the respective leading sheetin the sheet transport direction.
 13. A device according to claim 7,wherein the paper handling machine comprises: a second transport unitwhich is arranged such that it extends parallel to the first transportunit, a deflection means which is arranged in front of the first andsecond transport units when seen in the sheet transport direction andwhich conducts sheets to the first transport unit when occupying a firstposition and sheets to the second transport unit when occupying a secondposition, the deflection means switching over from the first to thesecond position, when a predetermined number of sheets has been receivedin the respective transport unit, and a distributing unit arranged afterthe first and second transport unit when seen in the sheet transportdirection, wherein the transport unit having no sheets supplied theretomoves the sheets in a clocked mode in such a way that the sheets aredisplaced by a predetermined distance in the sheet transport direction,the distance depending on the number of sheets to be distributed and onthe sheet displacement; wherein, when the sheets are being moved, thedistributing unit discharges from the paper handling machine therespective leading sheet in the sheet transport direction.
 14. A deviceaccording to claim 12, wherein the second transport unit comprises aconveying belt and a plurality of transport rolls which are pretensionedtowards the conveying belt and which are spaced apart in the sheettransport direction by a distance determined by the sheet displacementand by the sheet format.
 15. A device according to claim 12, wherein thedistributing unit includes a counter which detects the number of sheetsdistributed.
 16. A device according to claim 7, wherein the third speedis equal to the first speed.
 17. A method of transferring at least twosheets, which are arranged in a shingled mode of arrangement in a sheettransport direction, to a sheet handling machine in which the at leasttwo sheets are moved at a first speed after the transfer, a first and asecond sheet of the at least two sheets being spaced by a certain lengthof displacement in the sheet transport direction, the method comprisingthe following steps: (a) supplying the at least two sheets in theshingled mode of arrangement to the sheet handling machine at a secondspeed, the second speed being higher than the first speed; and (b)decelerating the second sheet to a third speed as soon as the firstsheet is decelerated to the first speed in the sheet handling machine,the third speed being lower than the second speed, thereby maintaining ashingled arrangement of the at least two sheets, wherein a leading edgeof the first sheet in the sheet transport direction and a leading edgeof the second sheet in the sheet transport direction are displacedrelative to one another by the length of displacement, the first sheetbeing decelerated at the leading edge thereof and the second sheet beingdecelerated at a rear edge in the sheet transport direction.
 18. Adevice for transferring at least two sheets, which are arranged in ashingled mode of arrangement in a sheet transport direction, to a sheethandling machine which comprises a first transport unit which moves theat least two sheets at a first speed after the transfer, a first and asecond sheet of the at least two sheets being spaced by a certain lengthof displacement in the sheet transport direction, the device comprising:a feed roll which feeds the at least two sheets in the shingled mode ofarrangement to the sheet handling machine at a second speed, the secondspeed being higher than the first speed; and a brake roll whichdecelerates the second sheet to a third speed as soon as the first sheetis decelerated by the transport unit, the third speed being lower thanthe second speed, thereby maintaining a shingled arrangement of the atleast two sheets, wherein the transport unit comprises a first shingleroll which engages the edge of the first sheet constituting the leadingedge in the sheet transport direction, and wherein, as soon as theshingle roll has engaged the first sheet, the brake roll engages theedge of the second sheet constituting the trailing edge in the sheettransport direction.
 19. A method of transferring at least two sheets,which are arranged in a shingled mode of arrangement in a sheettransport direction, to a sheet handling machine in which the at leasttwo sheets are moved at a first speed after the transfer, a first and asecond sheet of the at least two sheets being spaced by a certain lengthof displacement in the sheet transport direction, the method comprisingthe following steps: (a) supplying the at least two sheets in theshingled mode of arrangement to the sheet handling machine at a secondspeed, the second speed being higher than the first speed; (b)decelerating the second sheet to a third speed as soon as the firstsheet is decelerated to the first speed in the sheet handling machine,the third speed being lower than the second speed, thereby maintaining ashingled arrangement of the at least two sheets; and wherein a leadingedge of the first sheet in the sheet transport direction and a leadingedge of the second sheet in the sheet transport direction are displacedrelative to one another by the length of displacement, the first sheetbeing decelerated at the leading edge thereof and the second sheet beingdecelerated at a rear edge in the sheet transport direction.
 20. Amethod of transferring at least two sheets, which are arranged in ashingled mode of arrangement in a sheet transport direction, to a sheethandling machine in which the at least two sheets are moved at a firstspeed after the transfer, a first and a second sheet of the at least twosheets being spaced by a certain length of displacement in the sheettransport direction, the method comprising the following steps: (a)supplying the at least two sheets in the shingled mode of arrangement tothe sheet handling machine at a second speed, the second speed beinghigher than the first speed; and (b) decelerating the second sheet to athird speed as soon as the first sheet is decelerated to the first speedin the sheet handling machine, the third speed being lower than thesecond speed, thereby maintaining a shingled arrangement of the at leasttwo sheets; (c) advancing the at least two sheets in the sheet handlingmachine by a distance which is determined by the sheet format and thelength of displacement; and (d) repeating steps (a) to (c) for anadditional pair of sheets arranged in a shingled mode of arrangement inthe sheet transport direction.
 21. A method according to claim 20,wherein the additional pair of sheets is deposited in the sheet handlingmachine shingled in an ascending or descending mode.
 22. A device fortransferring at least two sheets, which are arranged in a shingled modeof arrangement in a sheet transport direction, to a sheet handlingmachine which comprises a first transport unit which moves the at leasttwo sheets at a first speed after the transfer, a first and a secondsheet of the at least two sheets being spaced by a certain length ofdisplacement in the sheet transport direction, the device comprising: afeed roll which feeds the at least two sheets in the shingled mode ofarrangement to the sheet handling machine at a second speed, the secondspeed being higher than the first speed; a brake roll which deceleratesthe second sheet to a third speed as soon as the first sheet isdecelerated by the transport unit, the third speed being lower than thesecond speed, thereby maintaining a shingled arrangement of the at leasttwo sheets; and wherein the transport unit comprises a first shingleroll which engages the edge of the first sheet constituting the leadingedge in the sheet transport direction, and wherein, as soon as theshingle roll has engaged the first sheet, the brake roll engages theedge of the second sheet constituting the trailing edge in the sheettransport direction.
 23. A device for transferring at least two sheets,which are arranged in a shingled mode of arrangement in a sheettransport direction, to a sheet handling machine which comprises a firsttransport unit which moves the at least two sheets at a first speedafter the transfer, a first and a second sheet of the at least twosheets being spaced by a certain length of displacement in the sheettransport direction, the device comprising: a feed roll which feeds theat least two sheets in the shingled mode of arrangement to the sheethandling machine at a second speed, the second speed being higher thanthe first speed; a brake roll which decelerates the second sheet to athird speed as soon as the first sheet is decelerated by the transportunit, the third speed being lower than the second speed, therebymaintaining a shingled arrangement of the at least two sheets; andwherein the transport unit comprises a substantially continuously drivenconveying belt and a plurality of shingle rolls which are pretensionedtowards the conveying belt and which are spaced apart in the sheettransport direction by a distance determined by the sheet format and thesheet displacement.
 24. A device for transferring at least two sheets,which are arranged in a shingled mode of arrangement in a sheettransport direction, to a sheet handling machine which comprises a firsttransport unit which moves the at least two sheets at a first speedafter the transfer, a first and a second sheet of the at least twosheets being spaced by a certain length of displacement in the sheettransport direction, the device comprising: a feed roll which feeds theat least two sheets in the shingled mode of arrangement to the sheethandling machine at a second speed, the second speed being higher thanthe first speed; a brake roll which decelerates the second sheet to athird speed as soon as the first sheet is decelerated by the transportunit, the third speed being lower than the second speed, therebymaintaining a shingled arrangement of the at least two sheets; and atrap which is arranged between the feed roll and the first shingle roll,the trap causing descending shingles of sheets in a first position andascending shingles of sheets in a second position.
 25. A deviceaccording to claim 24, wherein the brake roll is associated with a firstsheet path along which the at least two sheets travel when the trap isat the first position, an additional brake roll being provided, which isassociated with a second sheet path along which the at least two sheetstravel when the trap is at the second position.
 26. A device fortransferring at least two sheets, which are arranged in a shingled modeof arrangement in a sheet transport direction, to a sheet handlingmachine which comprises a first transport unit which moves the at leasttwo sheets at a first speed after the transfer, a first and a secondsheet of the at least two sheets being spaced by a certain length ofdisplacement in the sheet transport direction, the device comprising: afeed roll which feeds the at least two sheets in the shingled mode ofarrangement to the sheet handling machine at a second speed, the secondspeed being higher than the first speed; a brake roll which deceleratesthe second sheet to a third speed as soon as the first sheet isdecelerated by the transport unit, the third speed being lower than thesecond speed, thereby maintaining a shingled arrangement of the at leasttwo sheets; a second transport unit, which is arranged after the firsttransport unit in the sheet transport direction, the first transportunit collecting the sheets continuously and transferring them to thesecond transport unit, when a predetermined number of sheets is arrangedin the first transport unit, the sheets in the second transport unitbeing arranged in a shingled mode of arrangement in a sheet transportdirection in such a way that the leading edges of the sheets in thesheet transport direction are spaced apart by a certain length ofdisplacement, the second transport unit moving the sheets in a clockedmode in such a way that the sheets are displaced by a predetermineddistance in the sheet transport direction, the distance depending on thenumber of sheets to be distributed and on the sheet displacement; and adistributing unit which, when the sheets move in the transport unit,discharges from the sheet handling machine the respective leading sheetin the sheet transport direction.
 27. A device for transferring at leasttwo sheets, which are arranged in a shingled mode of arrangement in asheet transport direction, to a sheet handling machine which comprises afirst transport unit which moves the at least two sheets at a firstspeed after the transfer, a first and a second sheet of the at least twosheets being spaced by a certain length of displacement in the sheettransport direction, the device comprising: a feed roll which feeds theat least two sheets in the shingled mode of arrangement to the sheethandling machine at a second speed, the second speed being higher thanthe first speed; a brake roll which decelerates the second sheet to athird speed as soon as the first sheet is decelerated by the transportunit, the third speed being lower than the second speed, therebymaintaining a shingled arrangement of the at least two sheets; a secondtransport unit which is arranged such that it extends parallel to thefirst transport unit, a deflection means which is arranged in front ofthe first and second transport units when seen in the sheet transportdirection and which conducts sheets to the first transport unit whenoccupying a first position and sheets to the second transport unit whenoccupying a second position, the deflection means switching over fromthe first to the second position, when a predetermined number of sheetshas been received in the respective transport unit; a distributing unitarranged after the first and second transport unit when seen in thesheet transport direction; wherein the transport unit having no sheetssupplied thereto moves the sheets in a clocked mode in such a way thatthe sheets are displaced by a predetermined distance in the sheettransport direction, the distance depending on the number of sheets tobe distributed and on the sheet displacement; and wherein, when thesheets are being moved, the distributing unit discharges from the paperhandling machine the respective leading sheet in the sheet transportdirection.
 28. A device according to claim 26, wherein the secondtransport unit comprises a conveying belt and a plurality of transportrolls which are pretensioned towards the conveying belt and which arespaced apart in the sheet transport direction by a distance determinedby the sheet displacement and by the sheet format.
 29. A deviceaccording to claim 26, wherein the distributing unit includes a counterwhich detects the number of sheets distributed.